Shawn

As you probably read, Explorer of the Seas is going to the UK in 2015.  
 
I emailed my Royal Caribbean PR rep about the move and if it had anything to do with Adventure of the Seas' recent propulsion issues.  
 
Their response was....
 
Sounds to me like there's something else to be announced.  
 
Thing is, Adventure and Explorer are both Voyager class ships and both will have been refurbished by summer 2015.  So why would Explorer have to replace Adventure?
 
In the words of Yoda, meditate on this, I will.

We're planning 6 of 11 nights in specialty next month on Serenad, 2 in each -- at least!

My wife and I canceled reservations for specialty restaurants on next weeks cruise after the Quantum announcement of the elimination of the MDR.  We figure it's a last hurrah for us of this grand old tradition, and will definitely be spending our meals in the MDR.

I watched the Google+ hangout video, and it's clear that they thought this change out well; I get it, I understand where they're coming from, but for this one last cruise we will do the old-fashioned way for old times sake. 

Ha! I'm sure he'll be right behind us onboard :P

Same experience on our Dec 2013 sailing. Enchantment staff & crew best we have encountered across RCI!

The only time I have seen a head waiter is when I'm traveling with a large group. On Oasis, group of 10 all at one table, the head waiter would come by each night. On Liberty, group of 12 all at one table, the head waiter would come by each night. Also on Liberty, that was the ship I got married on, the executive chef stopped by our table too to greet us.
 
When I traveled alone with my wife and utilized MTD, we did not see any head waiters. The head waiter thing for me is more a formality and really isn't necessary. I know he/she is a manager for a section, but I've never had a problem that I needed to take up with a head waiter.  ;)

The Sabor thing really surprised me more than anything else.  When I sailed on Navigator of the Seas, the media team onboard indicated Sabor was the new VP of food and beverages "baby", so I would have bet money it was going on Quantum.  Which is a shame because Sabor was really, really, really good.
 
If you go to the blog (not the message boards), there's a little "about" block in the top right sidebar.  I said "royal caribbean cruise line" and he wanted it to say "royal caribbean international".
 
And you're right about Adam Tylor, he's a very smart guy.

Interesting about the younger crowd. I've found that nearly every time I cruise, I am discriminated against for my age. I'm sure it's not on purpose--more of an unconscious thing. But the head waiter always visits tables/passengers with older clientele and tables with families. Why? Because he *thinks* that he's going to get a larger tip out of these people. (Please the child, mom and dad tip him handsomely.) On my last cruise, the head waiter came by ONCE on the first day. Didn't introduce himself. Just asked what table we were *supposed* to be at. When he didn't believe us, he asked for our SeaPass cards. He then WALKED AWAY with them in-hand. Returned about 10 minutes later, said, "here you go," and never came back. The three cruises before that, I was not visited ONCE by the head waiter. On THOSE sailings, I was traveling with just a friend, also in her 20s.
 
When I used to travel with my family, the head waiter would come by our table nearly EVERY day.
 
I supposed maybe this is some feedback I should give Adam? Comings straight from the horse's mouth, right? Platinum member at age 24 ain't too shabby.

I stayed in a promenade view room on a Freedom-class. It's awesome. Nobody is "staring" at you from across the way. Just close the drapes when you need. But I LOVED it!

Ambulances? Holy smokes!  
 
On our 10+ day cruises we definitely noticed it age difference, skewing towards the older set.  I chalked it up to kids and schooling, etc.  
 
A while back I watched an English TV program called "The Cruise: A LIfe At Sea" where they followed several people on a round the world cruise.  I can't imagine 100+ days at sea.  Where would I store all my new T-shirts from each port?!? :)  nearly all the cruisers were 60+ including some folks that probably shouldn't have gone on a cruise.

Obviously the big news was all about dynamic dining on the Quantum class but I fished some tidbits out from various Royal Caribbean brass that I think you will all find interesting
Yes, Coca-Cola Freestyle machines can only be on US based cruise ships.  Head of RC food and beverage told me that's a Coca-Cola rule, not Royal Caribbean because the machines have to be serviced often and it's more difficult/impossible to service outside of USA Adam Goldstein told me part of the decision to change to dynamic dining is to go after the younger cruise crowd.  He mentioned the under 30 year old crowd specifically as a target demographic. The new Chops Grill menu from Navigator will be rolled out fleet wide over the next 6 months I asked why Sabor did not make it onto Quantum.  Head of RC food and beverage told me Sabor was created with Navigator in mind for the Texas connection but he did say it likely will be added to other ships, including perhaps Quantum down the line. Portofino is being phased out.  Being replaced with either Giovanni's or Jamie's Italian. Adam Goldstein reads this blog. Granted not sure how often but he definitely knew of it and made a request to change some wording (remove references to RCCL to RCI).  I told him it's about what people search for and he wouldn't take no.  So who am I to say no to him?  :D That's what I can remember now.  Hope this helps clear some things up.

As we've discussed previously, the Freestyle machines are only US for now. They are starting to install in UK and Europe. But until it is widespread, don't expect them to be placed on all ships because, as you said, servicing and product inventory becomes the main issue. Thanks for proving this and clearing up any rumors. 
 
I too was surprised about no Sabor on Quantum. There is a lack of Mexican cuisine across the fleet in my opinion.
 
I'm sad about the phaseout of Portofino, but understand the need to modernize the Italian fare with new family and fresh styles. I look forward to trying the new Italian options onboard.
 
What is Adam's request all about? Can you pinpoint the references he is talking about? Just curious. Not surprised he reads the blog. Royal seems to be very "in the know" about all the websites and blogs on the internet. 
 
Again, thanks for being our eyes and ears at this event. Great photos, and hope you didn't eat too much!  :P

Great point Gary (and welcome to the boards!).
 
It's very important that we fans express our opinions to Royal Caribbean so they can continue to improve the experience. 

Hi all...
 
I'm the one who sent the info to Matt.  I had sent a letter to Adam Goldstein's email address, expressing some concerns about Chops new menu, being tested on the Navigator.  All the items above are ones I had written about.  I received a phone call yesterday from the RCI Executive Offices in reply to my email.  They outlined the changes above, and said those changes were based on customer input.  I thanked the representative, and reiterated that the other change I thought should be looked at was that only filets and sirloins were being offered without additional upcharge.  Sirloin is normally thought of as a "value steak", not something you'd normally see at an upscale steakhouse.  Also, they really need a ribeye, t-bone, maybe porterhouse - something more than just two choices (although each of the two is now going to be offered in two sizes at least.  She said that she couldn't promise anything, but they were continuing to take and evaluate customer input, as the new menu on Navigator is still considered to be a test.
 
So, if anyone wants to see more steak options - or other things - please write to the Executive Office - sounds like they ARE listening!  :)

$1 ? Move along people, nothing to see here ....
 
:) Not aimed at the poster just the angst over $1 when you have paid $1000's

When isn't that the case with everything on CC? :P

It is okay if you don't print them ahead of time. The whole thing is a bit confusing if you ask me. There are people without computers who obviously won't know this. If you do not print your boarding documentation ahead of time Royal Caribbean will take care of it for you at the pier, it will just take a little longer. Porters will also have luggage tags for your luggage if you don't have those either.  :D
 
You'll be onboard Oasis with fellow RoyalCaribbeanBlog member bcarney. Enjoy your trip on one of the world's largest cruise ships!

You have to request and pay a nominal fee for paperwork to be mailed or print at home for free. The luggage tags are folded up paper and stapled to handle of luggage. Last year it worked fine for us. It was a lot of paper to print at home though. Create an account on RCL website and look at your reservation, there is a tab for cruise documentation.

LOL at your Holland America comment. Had friends go on HAL and they said most of the other passengers were 3 times their age! Bill, you're sailing Oasis in a couple weeks. I know you'll have a fab time! Warning: You won't want to come back home! Hopefully all the snow will melt by the time you get back in town and it will actually look like Spring has arrived in Michigan.  :D
 
Safe travels. 

I'm in the process of going through my online check-in for my April 5 cruise. When I got to the form where I had to select my date of birth, the oldest year that was possible to select was 1900.  Why is Royal Caribbean discriminating against 114 year olds?  I certainly plan on cruising when I'm that age.  Looks like I'll have to find another cruise line when I'm a centenerarian-plus.  Holland America (aka "God's waiting room") perhaps?
 
:)
 

Two things come to mind.  First, Royal Caribbean and a lot of other cruise lines have cut European sailings compared to what they were last year and even more so 2-3 years ago. Thus, less supply.
 
Second, as I recall last minute sales for European cruises tend to pop up as we get closer to sailings because of empty staterooms.  Often these are among the best deals out there, but of course you have to be able to get there and last minute flights to Europe (especially from USA) are far from cheap.

I think I would buy a next cruise certificate now if I wanted to hold onto a relic! Not sure it's even worth the paper it's printed on. Lol. I guess this new structure gives them more flexibility at controlling incentives to if they need to give them.

Yes, future cruise booking is much higher over all than open booking.  The way the old system worked was if you re-booked your OBC credits would follow.  Not sure if that aspect got neutered or not also.
 
If that's the case then that goes in the face of what the Loyalty Ambassadors always preached onboard that if you booked something and changed your mind later, the credit follows you.
 
If you ask me, they should just remove the open bookings if they are going to water it down this much.  Clearly they prefer guests book something specifically.

Oh yes, any pre-existing certificates will be honored at original rate.  
 
Don't forget you can always book some random cruise in the future and keep re-booking a different cruise until you have an actual cruise you want to go on.  
 
That will get you better benefits than an open booking although you will need to remember to re-book the cruise before final payment date to another random future cruise or an actual cruise you want to take.

I would suggest emailing Royal Caribbean rather than Facebook or Twitter.  Wouldn't hurt to use those but email goes straight to the company, whereas social media is outsourced.